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but they went in such numbers, and with so many horses, that I declined, 

 and came back. Spent an hour in writing, and then partook of some real 

 Baltimore oysters ; they were a year old, however, but tasted better than 

 I expected. 



After dinner started with M'Kenzie up the river ; he shot at a prairie 

 squirrel andmissed ; we then went on to a cooley, in which there was a 

 large rock of red sand stone, seen frequently in the prairies below this, 

 about five feet each way, and appears to be on the surface only. I had 

 no hammer and could not bring away a specimen ; the side of the hill had 

 many stones in it as large as a half bushel measure, but they were nearer a 

 limestone in appearance. I got in this little valley, specimens of five or six 

 plants seen for the first time. After returning, I spent an hour in putting 

 dried specimens in the herbarium. 



I received some information about the Indians, of which the following 

 is the substance. The Sioux nation has no general council, but each tribe 

 and band determines its own aifairs. These bands have some bond of 

 common interest analogous to the ties of our secret societies ; the Crow- 

 Feather-in-Cap band are pledged to protect each others wives — to 

 refrain from violating them, and if the wife of one of their number is stolen 

 by another of their number, she is returned, the band either paying the thief 

 for returning the stolen property, or forcing him to do it whether he will 

 or not. Should a wife be violated, they are bound to aid the injured 

 brother, in revenging his wrong. These bands have societies analogous to 

 the Orders, Divisions, &c., of our secret societies, in all parts of the Sioux 

 nation, and a stranger always finds friends amongst those of his own band. 

 One reason why this band are thus pledged, is that so many quarrels arise 

 because of the women ; that say that in any camp, if a difficulty occurs, in 

 almost every case a woman is the cause. 



The Strong Heart band is pledged to protect each other in their horses ; 

 should a Strong Heart from a distance, steal some horses, and they be 

 claimed by a brother Strong Heart, his fellows would tell him that he must 

 give them up, or they would give the robljed man some of their own horses, 

 regarding it as the greatest disgrace to themselves, to allow him to go 

 away on foot. And thus, I suppose, that all these bands have some com- 

 mon object that unites them together ; and here we have the origin of this 

 system of banding ; in the absence of law it takes the place of our system 

 of justice. The only law among the savage tribes is that of force ; if a 

 man is injured, he must himself punish the offender, but in most cases, to 

 do this, he must be supported by others, and who so proper for this as his 

 brother or brother-in-law ? And thus, foi- mutual protection, kindred are 

 forced to unite in bands. 



To give me some idea of their religion, I may state that they pray to the 

 Great Spirit on any occasion when they feel the need of his aid, and then 

 promise a sacrifide of cloth, or a feast of dogs to him. Thus, a man is 

 struck by a ball that only sticks in his flesh, producing a slight wound ; 

 from this circumstance he fancies that he is not to be killed by a ball ; he 

 holds it up and offers a prayer to the Great Spirit, thus: " Oh, thou Great 

 Spirit, I believe that I am not to be killed by a ball, and, as a proof of 

 that belief, I will wear this ball constantly, and will give to you, exposed 

 to the sun and air till they rot, some blankets and tobacco ; should I lose 

 this ball from around my neck, then I believe that the next one will kill 

 me." This ball is thenceforth worn as his "medicine," and it is prayed 



